Must-Have New Products for Moms this Summer

June 19, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the things that I love most about being a blogger is getting to check out some of the newest and hottest products for families each season. And this summer, I’ve discovered some great must-haves for moms. Whether you love heading outdoors as soon as the weather warms up, or catching up on some much-needed sleep, this round-up has something for you!

For the Outdoorsy Mom

If you love spending your time in the great outdoors and already have a campsite booked for your family’s summer vacation, the Pouch Couch is for you! This innovative and comfortable lounger can be used in just minutes after being waved in the air to fill it. Then kick back and relax at your campsite or on the beach. Best of all, it’s waterproof and packs into a small, easy-to-transport pouch! Find the Pouch Couch in a variety of colours at amazon.ca. [Read more…]

My Open Letter to the Daughter I Gave Away

May 20, 2018 by Kathryn 9 Comments

Darling Daughter,

It’s hard for me to believe that you turned eighteen just a few months ago. It seems like just yesterday that I was eighteen myself, and navigating the difficult journey that took me from child to adult. I remember how confusing the teenage years can be. How they can make you question yourself, wonder what your future holds, dwell on every little misstep you take.

I know that you’ve had a childhood filled with joy and security, but I worry that you might also be feeling a little more lost than other teenagers right now, and possibly wondering how you came to have the parents and the life that you do.

I know your parents explained to you that you were adopted as soon as you were old enough to understand what that meant. I’m sure they also told you that they love you fully and completely and every bit as much as any parents love their child. I hope you were able to understand how true their words were, and how much of a blessing you were to their lives.

But I know that there’s one question you’ll probably ask eventually, if you haven’t already, and it’s one that your parents can’t answer. The question is, “why?” Why did your “real” mother, the woman that gave birth to you, give you away to somebody else? I don’t know if you’ve ever voiced that question, but I’m sure it’s haunted your thoughts at times.

Since the day I gave birth to you, I couldn’t help but notice how many television shows and movies showcased emotional, touching renditions of an adopted child meeting her birth mother for the first time. That question, the why, was always the first one asked. And the answers, always the same, had me scoffing in disgust every time.

“I was young. I didn’t know how to take care of a baby. I didn’t have anyone to help me. I was all alone.” These are true statements for many women that make the choice I made, and a lot of them were true for me, but I can assure you that none are the reason a mother gives her baby away.

The answer to that “why,” the answer I believe is almost every birth mother’s answer to the question, is this: I cared more about what was best for you than I did about what was best for me. I had to decide between giving you the most promising life and future I possibly could…or keeping you with me. And I loved you so much that I was willing to lose a piece of my heart for a lifetime, if it meant that you would have a life of happiness and prosperity and opportunity.

In this age of social media, I’ve been able to learn a bit more about you than you might know. I’ve seen ample proof over the years that the decision I made was the right one. I knew it when your parents sent me some of their favourite photos from your first few years of life, and I know it now, having seen you as a smiling and confident teenager. I’m sure your life will continue to be full of opportunity and I’m sure that you’ll accomplish anything you set your mind to.

But through it all, if you ever start to wonder, if you ever start to worry, if you ever start to feel like you aren’t good enough…remember this. Every single day since you were born, I have loved you. And for every single day to come in the future, I will keep loving you.

Letting somebody else take you out of my arms was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I would do it again a thousand times to ensure your happiness. And you will always have the piece of my heart that I gave you the day you were born. From the beginning, and for always, I would do anything for you.

Love Always,

Your Mother

Let Go of the Mom Guilt! Four Indulgences a Mom Should Never Feel Guilty About

September 27, 2016 by Kathryn 34 Comments

If there’s one thing that us moms have really mastered, it’s feeling guilty. Told your daughter you were out of ice cream so you could finish it when she went to bed? Convinced your son that hockey wasn’t that much fun so you wouldn’t have to deal with the huge investment of time and money? Invented a fake work trip to avoid taking part in the school fundraiser? Chances are you’re going to feel guilty about it at some point!

But the fact of the matter is that parenting is hard…and none of us are perfect! We’re going to mess up. We’re going to do things we regret. And sometimes, we’re going to feel guilty about something we really shouldn’t! There are the odd times that we feel we’ve really messed up. At those times, we need to apologize, forgive ourselves and move on. But there are also times we feel guilty and we really shouldn’t! If you’ve got Mom Guilt about any of these four things, it’s time to give yourself a break and #EndMomGuilt!

1) Going Out for Date Night

Date night isn’t just a fun night out for you and your husband, it’s a chance to stay connected as a couple and ensure a healthy relationship…something that will both benefit your kids right now and help them learn about the dynamic of a healthy relationship. Find a reliable sitter or a nearby family member, take off for the evening and enjoy a good meal, a movie WITHOUT animated characters or a few drinks at your favourite pub. You both deserve the chance to spend time with the love of your life! [Read more…]

The EquiptBaby Diaper Bag Makes Parenting Easier with Features Moms Love-Giveaway

July 21, 2016 by Kathryn 70 Comments

Taking care of a baby is exhausting, whether you’re a first time mother or you already have a house full of children. And if there’s one item in a mother’s arsenal that can make her day either much easier or much harder, it’s the diaper bag. A good one keeps items organized, holds all the essentials and is easy to use and carry. An awkward one may require constant rummaging, be too small to be useful or be so big that it’s impossible to carry comfortably.

Then there’s the EquiptBaby Diaper Bag. And when I say that it’s in a class all its own, I mean it! This bag takes the must-haves from the best diaper bags, eliminates annoyances from the worst ones and then tops off its design with innovative features I have never seen on a diaper bag before, yet loved at first glance. I recently received the EquiptBaby Santa Rosa Diaper Bag so that I could see its differences for myself and I was impressed as soon as I pulled it out of the package.

One of the highlights of the diaper bag for me? The hard bottom of the bag! It’s such a simple addition to a regular diaper bag, yet it makes such a big difference in the ease of use. Instead of having to worry about a full diaper bag tipping over and spilling contents as a mom juggles the bag and the baby, the flat plastic bottom ensures that the diaper bag sits upright securely for easy access to the contents.

But that’s just the start of what makes the EquiptBaby Diaper Bag such a great choice for parents. Multiple pockets in the interior lets a busy mom keep bottles and snacks separate from clothes and diapers…and even leaves enough room for mom essentials like sunglasses and a wallet too! Best of all, one of those organized interior pockets is insulated, so bottles and snacks stay cool all day. When my boys got old enough to drink milk and juice, keeping it cold and fresh was a constant challenge. This diaper bag makes it easy and convenient to bring refreshments out of the house!

EquiptBaby also offers an ingenious Bassinet and I think I loved it even more than the diaper bag. This handy little bassinet is big enough for a baby up to about nine months of age and protects little ones from the sun and insects while outside…yet it folds up to be no bigger than a Frisbee for easy packing! I loved the idea of being able to have a comfortable spot for Baby to rest anytime and anywhere without having to lug around heavy baby gear.

Want to see the EquiptBaby difference for yourself? You’re in luck! One very lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win their very own EquiptBaby Diaper Bag, a $70 value! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about what feature of the EquiptBaby Diaper Bag you love most.

From the expandable sides of this diaper bag that let it hold extra gear for a long day or road trip, to the stylish colour and shape of the bag that lets a parent still feel trendy while carrying it, there’s just so much to love about the EquiptBaby Diaper Bag. Find a retailer near you or shop online at EquiptBaby.com and see how much easier your day can be when you have a great diaper bag to carry!

EquiptBaby giveaway

Surprise a Special Mom with a Design Molloy Custom Birth Story Word Art Print-Giveaway

May 4, 2016 by Kathryn 57 Comments

UPDATE: Thanks so much to everyone that entered! Use coupon code MOMMYKAT10OFF to save 10% off your online purchase from Design Molloy! Coupon expires June 30, 2016.

Mother’s Day is almost here, and whether you’re looking for a present for a brand new mom or an experienced one, Design Molloy has the perfect gift idea! This company founded by fellow Prairie entrepreneurs, Colette in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Debbie in Regina, Saskatchewan, specializes in custom word art and its stunning birth story prints are sure to warm the heart of any mother. Recently, I had the chance to review a Birth Story Word Art Print of my own, and I couldn’t wait to see my own child’s birth brought to life in such a beautiful way.

What makes the Design Molloy Birth Story Word Art so special is how much of a collaborative process its creation is. I had the chance to fill out a custom design sheet and choose favourite fonts, colours and phrases for my creation. I also added information about my youngest son’s birth weight, the time of day he was born and special features he had at birth. I was even able to include a favourite picture of my infant son!

When Design Molloy had all the information, the work began. I soon had a proof of the birth story to peruse so that I could check all the details and give some input on design elements. Little items like the placement of letters and the borders around each section were adjusted based on my desires so that the finished product was perfectly suited to me. I loved the boyish colour scheme I had chosen, and the picture of baby Benjamin cuddling with his big brother was the perfect finishing touch! [Read more…]

See Monique’s Twistos #MomCave Makeover and Enter to Win Your Own-Giveaway

May 2, 2016 by Kathryn 170 Comments

If there’s one thing that almost every mom has in common, it’s being busy! From cooking and cleaning to getting kids to extra-curricular activities to helping out at school or in the community, there’s always something to fill a mom’s plate! In our home, I’m out of bed at six in the morning to pack school lunches and make breakfast for my boys. We leave the house at seven to drive to the school bus stop and when I get home at eight, I start work.

Evenings include coaching my youngest son’s soccer team two nights every week, taking my oldest son to baseball three nights a week and still fitting in time to help both boys with homework and cook supper for the family. Needless to say, I’m ready for some relaxation when the boys are finally tucked into bed! And in my opinion, there’s no better evening indulgence than a few Twistos Baked Snack Crackers. With two new light and crunchy flavours now available, Garden Dill & Cream Cheese and Toasted Garlic & Rosemary, they’re the perfect treat for busy moms. Asiago has always been my favourite flavour, but the new dill variety changed that in one bite!

[Read more…]

Surprise a Woman That’s #OneToughMother with Mother’s Day Bouquets from Teleflora

April 26, 2016 by Kathryn 16 Comments

Being a mother isn’t always easy. In fact, it can often be a dirty, thankless, exhausting job. From dealing with the attitude of the terrible twos to navigating the high emotions of puberty, moms really are there for their kids through thick and thin. And on Mother’s Day, it’s time to show that special woman in your life just how much you appreciate her being one tough mother!

Teleflora knows that even though motherhood isn’t always butterflies and flowers, Mother’s Day can be! And with a collection of exclusive Mother’s Day bouquets that you can ship right to the front door, showing your appreciation for your mom’s support and sacrifices has never been easier. From gorgeous lavender and rainbow arrangements to bouquets that include keepsake water pitchers and cube vases, you’re sure to find the perfect gift! [Read more…]

Three Ways You Should Make Time for Yourself on Mother’s Day and All Year Long-Giveaway #ONatural

May 12, 2015 by Kathryn 95 Comments

With Mother’s Day just having passed, moms around Canada finally had the chance to kick back and enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation. And having recharged a bit myself, I’ve realized that moms have a very common tendency of putting themselves last. But when it comes to being a parent, taking care of ourselves means more time, energy and patience to deal with our kids. A happy, healthy mom makes the entire family stronger!

I’ve always been bad for neglecting my own needs in favour of my boys, but over the last year or so, I’ve really made a conscious effort to change that and the difference in my energy and patience levels have been amazing! In my opinion, these are three things that every mom should be making time for:

Make Time for Breakfast

The importance of breakfast has been proven time and time again, yet still so many women wake up, pour a cup of coffee, make a meal for their children and never take a bite themselves. I was one of the absolute worst culprits for this, even months after making regular breakfast one of my goals. I’ve finally managed to get into the routine thanks to two things: Orange Naturals ND Shake for Women and the MyFitnessPal app. Whipping up a quick shake in the morning is so easy with the help of my immersion blender, a little fruit, some yogurt, milk or even just water. My personal favourite combination is a Chocolate Strawberry Shake made with ½ cup of frozen strawberries, ½ cup of plain yogurt, ½ cup of milk and two scoops of ND Shake for Women Chocolate. Yet even with such a tasty breakfast to anticipate, I’d sometimes get rushed and skip breakfast anyways. The MyFitnessPal app made all the difference. A morning notification to provide me with motivation to record my breakfast on the app has helped me keep the habit once and for all, while the shakes give me energy that lasts all day! [Read more…]